Method and device for producing fullerenes

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous production of carbon black with a high fullerene content. The device essentially consists of a plasma reactor ( 1 ), a downstream heat separator ( 2 ) to separate the non-volatile constituents and a cold separator ( 3 ) attached thereto.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for the continuous production of carbon black with a high content of fullerenes comprising: 
       converting carbon-containing compounds in plasma by means of a plasma reactor comprising a first reaction chamber in which two or more electrodes are inserted, wherein the first reaction chamber further includes a supply arrangement for plasma gas and the carbon-containing compounds leading the plasma gas and the carbon-containing compounds centrally into the first reaction chamber, wherein the plasma reactor includes a second reaction chamber adjacent to the first reaction chamber having devices for cooling a reaction mixture exiting from the first reaction chamber; and  
       directing the reaction mixture, exiting from the second reaction chamber, to a heat separator attached to the plasma reactor and then to a cold separator attached to the heat separator.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma in the first reaction chamber has a minimal temperature of 4000° C. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a noble gas or a mixture of different noble gases is used as the plasma gas. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein helium is used as the plasma gas. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein highly pure carbon is used as the carbon-containing compound. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature in the second reaction chamber is regulated by a supply of cool plasma gas from a supply device. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature in the second reaction chamber is kept at a temperature between 1000° C. to 2700° C. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat separator is isothermally kept at a temperature of 600° C. to 1000° C. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cold separator is operated at a temperature ranging from room temperature to 200° C. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the cold carbon-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of acetylene black, graphite powder, carbon black, ground pyrolytic graphite, highly calcinated coke, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma reactor is provided with a heat-resistant and heat-isolating lining. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lining consists of graphite. 
     
     
       13. The method according  claim 1 , wherein the two or more electrodes are arranged with an angle to an axis of the first reaction chamber in such a way that they form the upper part of the first reaction chamber an intersection and that they are individually adjustable in the direction of their axis by means of conduit glands inserted into the first reaction chamber. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein three electrodes are used, which are operated with a three-phase-alternating voltage and consist of graphite. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a supply arrangement for the plasma gas is provided as the device for cooling. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat separator is provided in the form of an isothermally heated cyclone, comprising in the lower part a lock for the separation of non-volatile compounds and a conduit for guiding the non-volatile compounds back into the plasma reactor and a conduit in the upper part for guiding volatile compounds into the cold separator. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat separator is provided in the form of a heat-resistant filter. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cold separator is provided in the form of a cooled cyclone, including in the lower part a lock for the separation of the carbon black containing the fullerenes and in the upper part a conduit for guiding the plasma gas back into the plasma reactor. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , wherein a further conduit is provided as a supply of the plasma gas into the second reaction chamber, said further conduit branching off from the conduit provided for guiding the plasma gas back into the plasma reactor. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon-containing compounds are fed into the conduit via an entry device for the carbon-containing compounds, allowing to feed the carbon-containing compound via a lock into the conduit.